Lionel Messi scoops top award in Dubai

Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi has been named ‘Best Player of the Year’ at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai. The Argentine picked up the trophy at the 10th Dubai Sports Conference held at Madinat Jumeirah, just hours after meeting His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. After winning five trophies last season, Barcelona won the Club of the Year accolade, while the Player Career awards went to Andrea Pirlo and Frank Lampard. Other winners at the ceremony included Belgium’s Marc Wilmots who was named Coach of the Year, while Jorge Mendes, who represents Cristiano Ronaldo and Jose Mourinho among others, was named Agent of the Year, Portuguese giants Benfica earned the accolade of Academy of the Year and Saudi defender Yasser Al-Shahrani picked up the GCC Player of the Year accolade.